Backing Up Family Photos So You Don't Lose Them
What separate copies mean, and why syncing is not the same as a backup.
Quick answer
Aim for several separate copies: the US National Archives describes three copies, on two different media, with one off-site. A cloud photo library can be one of those, and a drive or a second service another. Check once a year that the files still open.
At a glance
Things to try now
What to do now
- 1Check in your phone's settings whether photo backup is on and whether storage is full
- 2Copy your most important photos to one separate drive or location
- 3Write down where each copy lives and keep the note with your important papers
What to say
- “Could we keep a copy of our family photos at your house, in case something happens to ours?”
- “If something happened to one of us, would the other know how to reach the photos?”
What to practice consistently
- Once a year, open a sample of old files from each copy
- Add new photos to your separate copy on a regular schedule
- Replace storage media about every five years, or sooner if problems appear
What to avoid
- Treating one account or one device as your only copy
- Keeping every copy in the same house
- Letting an account or a paid plan lapse without saving your photos elsewhere first
These are common approaches mentioned in sources and by parents. They are informational, not prescriptive.
What parents say
We haven't published parent perspectives on this topic yet.
What this usually involves
- Making separate copies on different kinds of storage
- Keeping one copy physically far from home
- Checking once a year that files still open
- Moving copies to fresh storage every few years
- Keeping account access in order
Related questions
The Library of Congress suggests locating photos first, then choosing the ones that matter most.
The Library of Congress frames copying around the photos you have selected, a few or many.
The US National Archives advises keeping originals because digital files can easily be lost.
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Worth remembering?
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